Considering the abundance of cryto projects launching constantly, making sound investment decisions requires both ample experience in the space, as well as a reliable network. Predicting future trends in such a volatile industry is a skill very few possess, especially since narratives evolve at a rapid pace. Ryan Zurrer is one of the OG participants and investors in the blockchain industry, with an experience of more than 10 years and an impressive portfolio of investments. From BTC mining to ICOs, DeFi and more recently NFTs & play-to-earn gaming (P2E), Ryan has witnessed all the major cycles in crypto. We were joined by Ryan Zurrer, founder of Dialectic AG, to discuss about the crypto investment landscape and the evolution of the industry from BTC to P2E gaming. Topics covered in this episode: Ryan’s background, from BTC mining to ICOs and P2E gamingKeepers in blockchain networks explainedAxie Infinity and the evolution of play-to-earn gamingWeb2 vs. Web3 gaming and the importance of communitiesNFTs in art, culture and blockchain gamingTraditional vs. digital fine artDialectic’s investment strategiesMEV & market efficiencyGeopolitical climate and crypto investmentsPsychedelics & MAPSEpisode links: Ryan ZurrerDialectic AGVine VenturesMAPSThis episode is hosted by Friederike Ernst & Meher Roy. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/490

Scientific research & publishing are gruelling tasks that extend outside the scope of science itself. Centralised publications abound in archaic practices that span from submitting a paper to getting it peer-reviewed and finally published, process which may take even up to years. In addition, research requires funding from very early stages of pursuing an idea, all the way to its finality (i.e. clinical trial or real-life applications). In TradSci (traditional science), funding is usually obtained once progress has already been achieved or when a startup has been formed. DeSci (decentralised science) sets out to change this paradigm by funding early stage research via DAOs. When it comes to scientific publications, peer reviewing is also decentralised and incentivised, considerably speeding up the process. Moreover, contributions can be clearly retraced, avoiding false claims over IP, and the research itself becomes much more easily accessible and disseminated. We were joined by Vincent Weisser & Laurence Ion, stewards of Vita DAO, to discuss the advantages of DeSci in general, and the progress of longevity research in particular. Topics covered in this episode: Vincent’s background and his interest in longevityLaurence’s background and his interest in biotechThe purpose of DeSciWhich science branch is better suited for DeSciHow DeSci fixes contribution acknowledgement & incentive misalignmentFrom research idea to startup via DeSci funding$VITA token utilityAccelerating scientific publishing via DeSciHow IP is attributed in a DeSci settingProject review and governance in Vita DAOEpisode links: Vincent WeisserLaurence IonVita DAOMolecule DAOVita DAO projectsMoleculeBio DAO launchpadThe Longevity PrizeThe Longevity Decentralized ReviewThis episode is hosted by Friederike Ernst & Meher Roy. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/488